忠

zhōng

中 + 心

Definitions

zhōng (adjective) loyal; devoted; faithful

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 中 represents the sound.

Semantic: 心 Phonetic: 中

About

忠 is a phono-semantic compound: 心 (heart/mind) conveys the meaning, while 中 (middle/center) indicates the pronunciation. Placed over 心, 中 also suggests a centered, unbiased core, evoking loyalty, faithfulness, and steadfast devotion. This moral quality primarily describes the strict allegiance of a subject to a ruler, a citizen to their country, or an individual to personal principles and commitments.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他对祖国很忠诚。

Tā duì zǔguó hěn zhōngchéng.

He is very loyal to his motherland.

他是一个忠实的朋友。

Tā shì yīgè zhōngshí de péngyǒu.

He is a faithful friend.

这位员工对公司很忠心。

Zhè wèi yuángōng duì gōngsī hěn zhōngxīn.

This employee is very loyal to the company.

他始终忠于自己的理想。

Tā shǐzhōng zhōng yú zìjǐ de lǐxiǎng.

He has always remained true to his ideals.

真正的忠诚经得起考验。

Zhēnzhèng de zhōngchéng jīng dé qǐ kǎoyàn.

True loyalty can withstand tests.

他用行动证明了这份忠贞。

Tā yòng xíngdòng zhèngmíngle zhè fèn zhōngzhēn.

He proved this fidelity with his actions.

他是我们事业最忠实的拥护者。

Tā shì wǒmen shìyè zuì zhōngshí de yōnghù zhě.

He is the most faithful supporter of our cause.

在逆境中，他依然保持着对信念的忠忱。

Zài nìjìng zhōng, tā yīrán bǎochízhe duì xìnniàn de zhōngchén.

In adversity, he still maintains his devotion to his beliefs.

Related Characters

Component: 中

Component: 心

Example Words